Attacks in Tatarstan Kill Muslim Cleric

In what appears to be coordinated attacks, two prominent Muslim clerics were attacked Thursday in Tatarstan.

Both clerics had spoken against stricter forms of Islam than the state-sanctioned Islam practiced in Russia.

Authorities quickly blamed radical Islamists for the attacks, noting that the two men were staunch defenders of their traditional culture and had been engaged in an escalating struggle against Salafi influence among the Tatars. If they are right, it could mark a turning point for Russia and for its Islamist insurrectionists, who until now have mostly focused on terrorist acts in the rugged North Caucasus, far to the south.

Liz Leslie is a journalist based in Bloomington, Indiana. As an associate Web producer for WFIU, Liz maintains the Muslim Voices Twitter and Facebook as well as writes for the blog. She also contributes to Earth Eats.More posts by this author »